Beverly girls tennis: Order on the court

They may have suffered a first round loss, but at least they know they lost to the best.

If anything Coach Keith Brickhouse and the Beverly High girls tennis team can take solace in that fact.

Christopher Hurley /churley@wickedlocal.com

They may have suffered a first round loss, but at least they know they lost to the best.

If anything Coach Keith Brickhouse and the Beverly High girls tennis team can take solace in that fact.

The 15th ranked Panthers (7-7) were certainly up against the odds when were eliminated by second-ranked Concord Carlisle, 5-0, June 1, in the first round of the Division 2 North Tournament. It was the first step in a championship run for the Patriots, who eventually clamed a sectional trophy against Winchester, June 11, before taking all the marbles against South champs Hopkinton for the State crown the following day.

But despite the team’s early exit, the Panthers didn’t disappoint.

“This first season has been quite a learning experience,” said Brickhouse. “First coaching girls, and [then] learning the capabilities of each team member. I leave this season with no regrets. Overall I think our season was a success.”

According to Brickhouse, the Patriots were a team on a mission.

“Concord-Carlisle is a tremendous team,” Brickhouse said. “Their first singles player recently won the state individual singles championship. Their first doubles team did the same for doubles pairings this spring. They are a very serious tennis conscious team, running deep with talent and execute well.”

If facing a perennial tennis power wasn’t intimidating enough, doing it without the services of two starters certainly didn’t help matters. Beverly was missing third singles player Meggie Manzo and first double team member Lena Kirschning, due to a pair of prior commitments.

“That alone was a shot in the foot before we even played the match,” Brickhouse said. “We had to adjust our entire line-up and play students in positions they haven’t played all season.”

Although it seemed like a recipe for disaster, the first-year coach was pleased with how his team responded to the challenge, putting its best foot forward.

Senior co-captains Hannah Albee and Hannah Robinson attempted to rally the troops at first and second singles, respectively. Despite a pair of gutsy efforts, the team’s two cornerstones were unable to master Concord-Carlisle’s consistency, bowing out in both sets.

“The competition was tough, but they showed up for the match exhibiting true team spirit, which makes them both successful winners in many other ways,” Brickhouse said.

Leading the way for the Panthers was Jillian Morneau. A staple at first doubles, Morneau stepped into Manzo’s shoes of third singles and showed a glimpse of what’s to come.

“Jillian played an awesome match,” Brickhouse said. “It was the highlight of our entire match. With a little seasonal work, I see Jillian making an easy transition into playing first or second singles next year.”

Freshman Sophie Claus was also thrust into the varsity spotlight making her debut at second doubles. Although she came up short, the promise she displayed certainly bodes well for the program’s future.

“Sophie represented herself well under the pressure associated with not just playing league competition but in a tournament round,” Brickhouse said.

Although the team’s tourney drive was short-lived, the coach still found plenty of positives.

“On the bright side, we identified a few jewels in the rough,” Brickhouse said. “I look at our Concord-Carlisle match as a great learning experience which will help us focus on the future.”

The first doubles team of Katie Lane and Christine Green also played a tough match, but just weren’t able to find a seam against C-C’s potent attack. Beverly’s second unit of Becah Kaplan and Claus picked up a well-earned win against Concord-Carlsie during their set, but were unable to turn the tide ultimately dropping its match as well.

“For their first time playing together, they held their own,” Brickhouse said.

Although the end result was a 5-0 loss, the Panthers coach feels the final wasn’t indicative of his team’s effort.

“I don't think they overwhelmed us by any means and the girls made me proud of their competitiveness,” he added.

Beverly will lose their two senior co-captains Robinson and Albee to graduation. Both will be sorely missed.

“They both brought strong leadership principles and commitment to the team,” Brickhouse said. “It’s not easy to replace your first and second singles players, though it will be exciting to see who steps up to take their place.”

Although the team will have a new-look, Brickhouse likes what he has seen from his remaining letterman. He can’t wait to get started on next season.

“We have room to grow and we achieved our goal, which was to make it into the state tournament,” he said. “Of course, we would have liked to run deeper into the tournament, but that’s what next year is for.”

“We have vast potential for the future,” he added. “Most of our girls have made commitments to their game and will be a lot stronger in individual match play next year. It’ll be interesting to see who steps up into the various positions in 2013. I have an idea, but will be pleasantly surprised to see the progress made over the off-season.”

According to the coach, don’t be surprised if there are some divisional changes next year as well, another factor which could bode well for the team’s outlook in 2013.

“No matter what happens, we expect to be ready to field a successful and competitive team,’ Brickhouse said. “Next year we'll set our sights farther down the road in tournament play. We expect to continue our winning ways.”